The city of Brentwood has a little something for everyone — especially those who enjoy spending time outdoors. Between the picturesque tree-lined streets and sidewalks and hiking and biking trails, outdoor enthusiasts in Brentwood have many ways to spend their time outside. The best parks in Brentwood offer everything from miles of trails to sports fields and picnic areas, and the best part is they're not far from neighborhoods!

Marcella Vivrette Smith Park

The particularly scenic Marcella Vivrette Smith Park, where the Little Harpeth River begins, is home to abundant wildlife and plenty of nature trails. Most of the park is densely forested, making it a cool place to walk or run during warm weather. Also here is the historic Ravenswood Mansion, a popular wedding venue built in 1825. This park is great for locals and their dogs, with a small playground, playing fields, a large pavilion, and restroom facilities.

A nine-mile multi-use hiking trail follows the Little Harpeth River and connects several nearby neighborhoods like Carriage Hills and Inglehame Farms. The trail is broken down into four smaller sections:

• Blue Trail: This 2.25-mile loop trail passes by Ravenswood Mansion and is rated as moderate, with a few uphill sections
• Black Trail: A moderate two-mile loop trail with a slight elevation gain. Keep an eye out for signs on this trail, as it's easy to go off-route.
• Enid's Eyrie Point (via Red Trail): A 1.5-mile out-and-back trail that's great for birdwatching
• Green Trail: This 1.4-mile trail can be rocky in parts and has some very steep sections. It's good for birdwatching but can be very muddy after rain.

Crockett Park

Crockett Park is the largest park in Brentwood at 164 acres. It contains varied terrain of open fields, walking trails, athletic areas, and other facilities like an indoor soccer center, an amphitheater, and a playground. Some unique additions to Crockett Park include a frisbee golf course and Cool Springs House event venue, a historic house built in 1830.

The Crockett Park Loop is an easygoing two-mile paved loop trail popular with cyclists. It also connects to other routes like the River Trail, making it a longer hike. Crockett Park also features tennis courts and baseball/softball fields, along with a large playground. Leashed dogs are welcome to enjoy the park.

Owl Creek Park

Owl Creek Park is one of the smaller parks in Brentwood at 21 acres. Its 2.8-mile walking trail passes by a scenic lake; if you wish, the route can be broken down into smaller sections. The half-mile inner loop or the 3/4-mile outer loop trail can be taken as standalone trails. All of the walking trails in this neighborhood park are paved or have boardwalks—plus they're an average of eight feet wide, making them wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.

The park also features a covered picnic area with a large charcoal grill ideal for sunny summer evenings. You must reserve the grill in advance by calling Brentwood Parks and Recreation.

There is a playground with two play structures for kids, who love the triple slide and the Little Tikes climbing wall. There's also a large basketball court and restroom facilities near the playground. Leashed dogs are welcome at Owl Creek Park.

Deerwood Arboretum

Deerwood Arboretum may be one of the smaller parks in Brentwood, but it makes up for what it lacks in space. With an abundance of unique wildlife packed into its 27 acres, visitors will love this state-certified arboretum, home to many migratory birds, butterflies, and even foxes.

Deerwood Arboretum also contains a dog-friendly, one-mile walking trail equally suitable for bikes. Sections of the trail connect to the Belle Rive neighborhood, one of Brentwood's best neighborhoods, and a footbridge over Little Harpeth River leads into Kingsbury Drive in the Laurelwood community.

Within the park, you'll find 12 nature stations where you can learn about the native wildlife and trees (there are 67 different species!). Add in a wildflower meadow that blooms in the summer and a nature center with an outdoor classroom and a small amphitheater, and you've got one of the best neighborhood parks in Brentwood.

Granny White Park

Granny White Park is a popular 32-acre neighborhood park adjacent to two Brentwood schools: Brentwood Middle and Brentwood High. The park is especially great for exercising, as it includes walking trails, four lighted tennis courts, a soccer field, a baseball field, a basketball court, and a sand volleyball court.

The massive 18,500-square-foot Miles Together Playground is an all-inclusive playground, the first of its kind in the city, meant to be a central place for children to play. There's a team swing, tall double-wide slide, tire climb, and more.

As you walk along its trail, look at the various trees dotting the path—many have an information placard in front of them. This is also a great spot to watch for changing colors in the fall!

Enjoy Brentwood's Abundance of Scenic Parks

Brentwood's parks are vast and provide endless opportunities to explore the outdoors. With so many options—more than a dozen across the community—it's hard to know where to start. However, this list provides a great starting point for those looking to experience all Brentwood offers. Be sure to get outside and enjoy them all!